We are looking to take a 10 day trip to Europe around the 3rd week in April. I had planned to do a few too many stops, so now am looking for ideas on what is best to do in the time we have. I have frequent flyer tickets that can fly in and out of London, Munich, Madrid, Frankfurt, Rome and Paris (Can go in one and out another). I need to spend some time in Brussels to visit family. So with Brussels a definite stop what would be some advice on how best to do the trip? <BR> <BR>We prefer coastal regions and local flavor more than museums. Like warm regions, but know that is limited due to Brussels stop. Only second language is some Spanish. We are mid-priced travelers. Like to explore areas, not afraid of driving, get bored in big cities if there for too long. Really enjoy trying different foods and drinks. Is that enough detail? <BR> <BR>Appreciate your opinions! <BR>

Nanci, <BR>I assume this is your first trip to Europe. If so, and in order to experience as much variety of culture as possible, I'd suggest you consider flying into Paris and out of London. I'd plan on staying in Paris, relatives in Brussels (if they can accommodate you) and end up in London. You'll be touring and visiting a relatively compact geographic area while experiencing three very different societies. I'd stay three or four days in Paris, taking the train to Brussels on the fourth day. Tour Brussels one day, rent a car for two and visit Brugge, the Belgian coast, Ghent one day then eastern Belgium and the Ardennes the second day. From Brussels take the chunnel train to London for the remainder of your trip. If the city gets to you after a day or two, take a day trip to Bath, Salisbury, Oxford or Cambridge for the day. (You could also escape Paris one day with a trip to Versailles.) <BR> <BR>If food and drink are part of your traveling criteria, you probably won't ever want to leave Belgium. It has more Michelin three starred restaurants per capita than France, both Flemish and Walloon cuisine and over 400 varieties of beer ranging from cloudy wheat beers to fruit flavored Lambics and ale-like manastery brews.

I'm with Wes on this one, 'though I'd start in London, Eurostar to Brussels, train to Paris, fly out of Paris. <BR> <BR>Nice, compact area; 4 cultures for the price of 3 (Belgium has 2); good food; excellent public transportation; you can hit all sorts of modes of transportation (plane, train, subway, boat, bus). <BR> <BR>Wes outlined the countryside near Brussels and London; here goes for Paris: Giverny; Versailles (the grounds are spectacular as well has the palace); Fontainebleu; day trip to Tours (easy ride via TGV) and on to Amboise (daVinci's hometown with way cool museum and chateau); day trip to Champagne region. Inside Paris, you can escape the city at Pere Lachaise cemetery, Bois de Boulogne, or even Bois de Vincennes. <BR> <BR>By spending 3 or 4 days in one place, you'll use your time to experience the area, rather than finding hotels, watching countryside whiz by while on a train, or negotiating the inevitable rotaries. <BR> <BR>

I just got back from brussels, we stayed at hotel Welcome (about 70.00 USD) a nite and we stayed in Brugge hotel de Pauw about 62.00 usd. Both hotels were recommended in Fodors and they were both very nice. The Art Museum Moderne in Brussels is very good . <BR>

I just got back from brussels, we stayed at hotel Welcome (about 70.00 USD) a nite and we stayed in Brugge hotel de Pauw about 62.00 usd. Both hotels were recommended in Fodors and they were both very nice. The Art Museum Moderne in Brussels is very good . <BR>

Thank you all for your detailed advice, which I am in the process of taking. Just reserved flights with US Air (on hold for a week). We will fly into London stay for 3 days then to Brussels for 3-4 and a couple in Paris, from where we will fly home. I have enough Hilton points to stay for 3 nights someplace. Any recommendations of where to use points versus staying at more "local lodgings." What is the cost differences between the 3 areas? Will stay in a hotel in Brussels also. Prefer moderate prices and unique--versus expensive. <BR> <BR>While I know this is broad any more specifics on food and lodging would be appreciated.

When in London, I stay at the Regent Palace Hotel which is located on Piccadilly and is reasonably priced. The location is unbeatable. The best food in London is Chinese and Indian (possibly the best in the world for both). If you are there for a Sunday, go for Dim Sum in Chinatown. You can walk there from the Regent Palace. <BR>Personally I find Brussels dull and dingy. It would serve best as a base for day trips to Ghent, Antwerp, and Brugge. Perhaps your relatives would like to accompany you to some of these. Paris (like London) is worth a long visit on it's own. French cuisine can be interesting but if you want good food, try Vol au Vent or Boeuf Bourguinon anywhere. The menu of the day in small restaurants is always good and reasonably priced. I stayed at Champs de Mars in Paris and was quite satisfied.

Nanci, <BR>Hotels in all three cities, London, Brussels and Paris, are relatively expensive. Many of Brussels' hotels have significantly discounted weekend rates. You might consider exploring that option in Brussels and use your Hilton points elsewhere.

I am envious of all of your experience in Europe! <BR>We had the chance to socialize with a retired couple who had wonderful things to say about staying in castles in Germany (they were originally from Germany)--and a few other spots in Germany which sounded welcoming to english speaking americans, while not be a "big city". What's the reason for the general less interest in Germany as a whole? <BR> <BR>Again, thanks for the help! <BR>

In response to your question on Germany, I think we maintain a number of only partially accurate stereotypes about Germans and German culture, perhaps as a result of the global conflicts of this century. Having both lived there and travelled there quite a bit, I must say that it remains a relatively untapped travel destination for us North Americans, most of whom you'll find in Munich, along the nearby Romantic Road, or in the Rhine Valley, all nice places, but only a few of the many interesting regions there. <BR> <BR>Given your stated interests, Germany may be somewhat limited. Warm weather in April? Probably not! Beaches? Nice ones up north, but still too cold then. <BR>If you want a quick look, The Rhine Gorge is not far from Belgium, easy to get to, warmer than other regions in Germany, and full of small towns with historical and local character, and it has lots of accommodations with English-speaking hosts and plenty of opportunities to try the local wines. <BR>Did I mention hiking? It's wonderful here, particularly along the west bank between St. Goar and Bingen (get a local map there for trails that skirt the cliffs and provide dramatic views of vineyards and castles.) <BR> <BR>Hope your trip is a good one!

Nanci---Chocolate. Gotta think of chocolate in Brugges and we urge you to <BR>sample the best at Maitre Chocolatier Verbeke, just a block from Market Square at Geldmuntstraat 25. We only wished we had purchased more.....